201114 | bsmttc

News Release - BSMTTC News 116

Dateline: 14 November 2020

Looking Ahead!

There may not be much happening on the table tennis table at this moment in time. But there is absolutely no harm in looking ahead. Indeed, as 2020 has been such a dark year for table tennis as a result of the corona virus, it seems totally right to look forward to brighter days!

Since 2013 one of the highlights of the club year, in table tennis terms, has been the club tournament. Always played on a handicap basis, to give every member whatever their ability an equal chance, the tournament usually comprises of 3 events. The Main Event, played for the Ron Georgeson Memorial Shield, pictured opposite, a consolation event for all knocked out in the first round of the Main event, and a Fun Doubles competition. The 'handicap' in the doubles often being your partner!

So far, no member has won the trophy more than once! In more recent years the tournament has been played as an 'opener', immediately before the start of a new table tennis season, but originally it was the final event of the playing year, played after the end of the season!

This year will be totally different! Having returned to play at the end of July after the first corona virus lockdown, it had been hoped that the tournament could be played in the autumn ahead of the expected start of the new league season in January 2021. Then the Merseyside area was placed into Tier 3 of the corona virus restrictions and now into the national month long lockdown, which lasts until 2 December. As a result all table tennis has again been stopped until at least 3 December. Nevertheless, we are still looking forward, and aiming to launch the tournament as soon as we are able to begin play again, now that we know the league will not start in January as originally planned.

This year's club tournament will be played in small groups, as we cannot have large gatherings under the corona virus restrictions, and will be played totally at Marine. Sadly spectators will not be allowed at this time.

Full details of the 2020 tournament can be found under the League tab on the website. And the draw for Round 1 has now been made, and throws up some very interesting groups, especially when the handicaps are taken into account. It should be a great event.

Around this page you can see pictures of some of the former winners of the Main Event, and maybe you would like to make your own prediction for the winner for 2020! My best guess is, that once again there will be a new winner! But let's look forward and see.........

The Ron Georgeson Memorial Shield was presented to the club in 2013 following the death in April that year of, then, Club President Ron Georgeson, formerly secretary of the club for 10 years. Ron had been a member of BSMTTC for around 55 years.

Above, the first winner of the Shield in 2013 was Colin Mitchell, here presented with the trophy by then Chairman Fred Bainbridge.

Below the 2014 winner Ian McElwee, presented with the trophy by Club President, Billy Clayton

And below:

2016 Winner - Graham Turner, with some of the spectators. The first time the event was played other than at Marine. On this occasion played at Crosby High TTC.

2017 Winner - Colin Turner, Colin is one of the very few players to have won both singles and doubles.

2018 Winner - Nathan Jago - the first time a junior has won the event. A fantastic achievement by a young player.

2019 Winner - Barry Davis, presented with the trophy by Liz Sinker, who as a loyal parent had stayed all day to watch the tournament played at Anfield Sports & Community Centre, in support of her two teenagers who were also playing in the event.